Over the past 4 years of the event, approximately 1,600 people have attended, raising nearly $500,000 for the Markey Cancer Foundation.

The gala is held during the $75,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic and the final class in the Hagyard Challenge Series. The evening begins at 5 p.m. with cocktails and dinner, followed by an auction and culminating in the show jumping event at 7 p.m.

The Betsy is named in honor of the late Betsy Fishback, wife of Hagyard veterinarian Dave Fishback and a beloved member of the sport horse community, who died in January 2009 of breast cancer.

"The Markey Cancer Center has helped Hagyard staff and family members over the years," said Nicole Tomlinson of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. "We see the Hagyard-Markey relationship as a way for Hagyard to help Markey assist people in our community in their time of need. We are again looking forward to this year’s event."

Tickets for the grand prix show jumping portion of the evening are free and available up at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, located at 4250 Iron Works Pike, by emailing thebetsy@hagyard.com, or calling 859/685-3709. The first 1,500 people through the door Friday evening, starting at 7, will receive a ticket for a free hotdog and Pepsi.

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